Locking mechanism



Aug. 25, 1964 .1 KUPSKI 3,145,669

LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P i 7 s I w 2 w a 1 W/ w I V f w w Him; ||1\ 3 m z, zlxww I Q 5M, a 2 .Tvm a V Aug. 25, 1964 J. KUPSKI LOCKING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1962 /4 BY $64M. Q ZTTORNEYS United States Patent G 3,145,669 LQCKING MECHANISM Joseph Kupski, North Chicago, Ili., assignor to The Chicago Hardware Foundry Company, North Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 169,057 Ciaims. (Cl. 108-148) This invention relates to a locking mechanism, and more particularly to a locking mechanism for adjustably securing tubular or columnar members together.

Heretofore, the conventional method of attaching the base and top of a pedestal type table or the like to the column therefor, has been by means of a tie rod running the entire length of the column. The present invention eliminates this cumbersome and expensive expedient, so that no loose parts need be shipped and assembly time is reduced substantially.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a column for a pedestal type table or the like is inserted in the base of the table and a lock within the column is expanded to hold the column firmly in place. A similar method is utilized for attaching the column to the table top; that is, the column is inserted in the spider attached to the table top and the lock expanded so that the top is also firmly fastened to the column. By respectively rotat ing the base and table top, the individual locks therefor are cammed into the locking position.

Thus the invention provides for each lock a split expansion ring which may be fixed in the column, with an inner annular drive cam or cone movable thereinto in angularly fixed relation as threaded on an axial bolt, and an outer annular cam or cone freely disposed on the bolt. The bolt in this form desirably has a polygonal head to be engaged in a complementary hole in the base or table, or the like. The described relative rotation of the base or table urges the annular cams into the ring and expands the ring against the column, whereby the column is expanded into locking relation with a sleeve on the base or table.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism is utilized in a pedestal type table or the like which is adjustable in height. In this form of the invention, one tube containing the locking mechanism is inserted telescopically inside of a second tube, both of the tubes together comprising the table column. By expanding a portion of the lock of the invention, the outer tube is held against rotating with respect to the inner tube, at any desired height. Thus, a table is afforded which can be adjusted from coffee table height to dining height, or any position in between. The ring may be freely disposed between annular cams as described, but with the cam which is angularly fixed relative to the ring carrying a lock spring so that when the tube carrying the cams is rotated in one direction, the spring, and thus the ring, will expand against the outer tube, to maintain the tubes or column sections in the desired position of column extension.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism which can be utilized in a wide variety of applications to maintain a tubular member in locked engagement with a sleeve or the like therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism as described which can be utilized in adjustably connecting a pair of tubes to form a column for a pedestal type table or other structure having an adjustable height.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as described which eliminates loose parts to be shipped and considerably reduces the assembly time for pedestal type tables or other such structures.

3,145,659 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 Other objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent as the description proceeds in accordance with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a pedestal type table according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the table and with the column and base in side elevation;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1, partly broken away and in elevation;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines IVIV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of locking mechanism shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view partly broken away and in elevation, of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines VIIVII of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines VIII of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, a locking mechanism 10 is shown according to the invention at each end of a tube or column 11 which may be utilized in supporting a table top 12 having a spider 13 receiving the tube, above a base 14 having a collar structure 15 receiving the bottom of the tube. As shown in FIGURE 3, the locking mechanisms 10 each include an expansion ring 16, a drive cone 17, a plain cone 18 and bolt means 19 interconnecting the cones as hereinafter further described. Thus the bolt means 19 may include (FIG. 5) a square or polygonal head 2% bearing against a washer 21 backing the plain cone 18, a shank portion 22a freely received in the cone 18 and a threaded portion 22 threaded in an internally threaded hub 23 of the drive cone 17. The bolt 19 may have a cotter pin 24 or the like received theretbrough to maintain the parts in assembly.

In order to afford selective expansion of the expansion ring 16, a radial split or cut 26 is defined therethrough, and the ring itself is of a relatively resilient characteristic. For camming engagement with the cones 17 and 13, the ring 16 defines upper and lower camming surfaces 27 and 2.8 which are chamfered inwardly at an angle of, in a suitable example, 30 to the axis of the said ring. In order to prevent rotation of the drive cone 17 with respect to the ring 16, the ring defines a plurality of radially inwardly extending recesses 29, 30 and 31 and the cone 17 has complementary bosses 32, 33 and 34 reciprocably engageable in the said recesses. Also, to provide a degree of flexibility for the ring and to effect a secure engagement with the tube, the ring has vertical bosses 35, 36 and 37 which may be cammed against the tube, the recesses 35a, 36a and 37a providing a reduced ring thickness, in cooperation with scalloped recesses 35b, 36b and 37b. Preferably diametrically opposite the split or cut 26, the ring 16 has formed therein an opening 38 to receive a roll pin or the like 38a engaged within the tube to secure the expansion ring against rotation, or, in the form shown, a displacement between pin and slot may be used.

In order to afford expansion of the rings 16 such as to urge the tube 11 against the collar 15 of the base and the collar 15a of the spider 13, the base defines an opening 39 complementary to the head 20 of the corresponding bolt and the spider 13 likewise defines an opening 39a complementarily receiving the upper head 20.

This relationship thereby permits rotation of the base and table top, respectively, to rotate the bolts 19 and thus drive the drive cones 17 into the rings 16, with the upper cones 18 coacting to provide a counter-camming action so that each ring 16 is cammed radially outwardly as described.

Referring now to FIGURES 6-8, a second embodiment of the invention is shown wherein the table 12 is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to the base 14 by means of a column 11a having an upper column section 40 telescoping in a lower section 41. The upper column 40 is secured to the spider 13a by means of a disk or the like 42 and a bolt 19a threaded through the spider and into the disk. The head 20a of the bolt may again be received in a recess formed by the spider so that, for example, the table 12 can be secured to the spider 1312 after assembly of the spider or bracket to the column. To prevent relative rotation between the spider and column as hereinafter set forth, a pin 43 is set in the spider and disk 42.

In order to mount the locking mechanism of the invention to provide selective vertical adjustment and holding of the column 11a, the lower end of the section 40 has a disk 43a which fixedly retains a threaded bolt 44. The bolt 44 in turn freely retains a plain cone 18a, with a washer or the like 45 interposed between the disk 43a and the base of the cone. The cone 18a. is seated in camming relation in a conical surface 27a in an expansion ring 16a which is substantially similar to ring 16 but it not attached to the column 41, and has a cylindrical outer surface for close-fitting but rotatable relation to the section 41. The locking action is afforded by a drive cone 17a which is adapted to seat in a conical surface 28a in the ring 16a and is held against relative rotation thereto by bosses 35', 36 and 37, which correspondingly fit in complementary recesses in the ring 16a. Thus the cone 17a will move as part of the upper column section on tube 17a. It may be noted the bolt 44 has a cotter pin 44a to hold the cone 17a thereon.

To cause the lower section 41 to be held against rotation with respect to column 40, the cone 17a defines an annular groove 46 which receives a partial circumferential length of spring 47. The spring 47 has one end inserted in the radial recess 48, and is set to be biased normally outside the cone 17a into contact with the column section 41. It will therefore be seen that when the cone 17a is relatively rotated counterclockwise with respect to section 41, the spring will slip against this section. 'But upon relative clockwise rotation, the spring will progressively securely lock against the section, thereby effecting a relative torque on the drive cone which will thread it into ring expanding position and will urge the ring against column 41, to assure a positive holding action against axial loads. Reverse movement will release the ring to permit axial adjustment of the column. It will be understood that the column 41 is suitably connected to the base 14 to hold against rotation with respect to the base, and the lower column may also be rotated, as may be most convenient in a given installation.

It will thus be seen that a simple and effective locking mechanism has been afforded which reduces the number of parts required for assembling the column on the base and table of a pedestal type table, and which affords a secure column connection without the need for tie rods such as have been required previously. Further, the invention is effective in permitting an axially adjustable column to be used, as shown in FIGURE 6. And the locking mechanism in each of its embodiments has application in a wide variety of situations in addition to those described.

Although I have herein set forth and described my invention with respect to certain specific principles and details thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a tubular member, an expansion ring, means securing the expansion ring to said tubular member at one point therein, a split in the expansion ring opposite said point, a camming surface formed internally around the expansion ring and extending inwardly from the outer edge thereof, a drive cone having a complementary camming surface formed therearound, and means for driving the drive cone into the camming surface on the expansion ring to expand the expansion ring against the tubular member so that the tubular member may lock against a snugly fitting collar on a table, said means including a plain cone having a peripheral inwardly inclined camming surface, said expansion ring having a corresponding oppositely facing inwardly inclined camming surface, and bolt means extending through said cones and including threaded means for drawing the cones together and into camming engagement with the expansion ring.

2. In combination with a pedestal type table having a table top with a column receiving member and a base with a column receiving member, a hollow column extending into said column receiving members and a separate locking means for each of said column receiving members disposed within said column, said locking means each including an expansion ring in register with the corresponding column receiving member, said expansion ring being secured at one location within the column and being split at a point circumferentially spaced from said location to afford expansion thereof, a drive cone, said expansion ring having an inwardly inclined camming surface therearound and said drive cone having a complementary inwardly inclined peripheral camming surface, and means for drawing the drive cone into the expansion ring to cause said camming surfaces to expand the expansion ring against the column, whereby to lock the column at its opposite ends in the column receiving members, said means including a plain cone, a bolt extending freely through the plain cone and threaded in the drive cone and head means on the bolt engaging the corresponding column receiving member whereby relative rotation of the bolt and the drive cone serves to bring the cones into abutting expansive engagement with the expansion ring at each end of the column.

3. In combination with a pedestal type table having a table top with a column receiving member and a base with a column receiving member, a hollow column extending into said column receiving members and a separate locking means for each of said column receiving members disposed within said column, said locking means each including an expansion ring in register with the corresponding column receiving member, said expansion ring being secured at one location within the column and being split at a point opposite said location to afford expansion thereof, a drive cone, said expansion ring having-an inwardly inclined camming surface thcrearound and said drive cone having a complementary inwardly inclined peripheral camming surface, and means for drawing the drive cone into the expansion ring to cause said camming surfaces to expand the expansion ring against the column, whereby to lock the column at its opposite ends in the column receiving members, said means including a plain cone, a bolt extending freely through the plain cone and threaded in the drive cone and head means on the bolt engaging the corresponding column receiving member whereby relative rotation of the bolt and the drive cone serves to bring the cones into abutting expansive engagement with the expansion ring at each end of the column, said drive cone having spaced projections thereon and said expansion ring having similarly spaced recesses thereon to receive the projections during camming action between the drive cone and the expansion ring to prevent relative rotation be tween the drive cone and the expansion ring during said camming action.

4. In combination with a pedestal type table having a base with a collar and a top with a collar, a unitary column snugly received in the collars and a locking mechanism for each of the collars including an expansion ring secured in register with the collar, a bolt having a head held against relative rotation with respect to the corresponding table portion, a drive cone threaded on the bolt and a plain cone freely received on the bolt and having backing means therefor, said drive cone and said expansion ring having complementary means to prevent relative rotation therebetween and the drive cone being effective to cam the expansion ring radially outwardly in cooperation with the plain cone and upon rotation of the bolt relative to the drive cone to expand the expansion ring and the column into locking engagement With the collar therefor.

5. In a pedestal type mounting including a support member having a cylindrical collar and a cylindrical column snugly received by said collar, locking mechanism for preventing separation of said collar and column comprising a threaded member secured in said support member against relative rotation with respect thereto, and extending axially of said column, an expansion sleeve retained in said column against longitudinal movement therein and having spaced oppositely facing cam surfaces, and a pair of cones mounted on said threaded member for relative movement toward each other and against said cam surfaces to cooperate therewith in expanding said sleeve into locking engagement with said column upon relative rotation of said column and supporting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,229,138 Reischmann June 5, 1917 1,483,051 Saunders Feb. 5, 1924 1,911,636 Meitzler May 30, 1933 2,364,191 Campbell Dec. 5, 1944 2,469,896 Schaef May 10, 1949 2,638,969 Restivo May 19, 1953 2,698,775 Courtwright Jan. 4, 1955 2,723,174 Roux Nov. 8, 1955 2,842,415 Keller July 8, 1958 2,872,223 Shearman et al. Feb. 3, 1959 2,904,379 Nelson Sept. 15, 1959 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TUBULAR MEMBER, AN EXPANSION RING, MEANS SECURING THE EXPANSION RING TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AT ONE POINT THEREIN, A SPLIT IN THE EXPANSION RING OPPOSITE SAID POINT, A CAMMING SURFACE FORMED INTERNALLY AROUND THE EXPANSION RING AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE OUTER EDGE THEREOF, A DRIVE CONE HAVING A COMPLEMENTARY CAMMING SURFACE FORMED THEREAROUND, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING THE DRIVE CONE INTO THE CAMMING SURFACE ON THE EXPANSION RING TO EXPAND THE EXPANSION RING AGAINST THE TUBULAR MEMBER SO THAT THE TUBULAR MEMBER MAY LOCK AGAINST A SNUGLY FITTING COLLAR ON A TABLE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A PLAN CONE HAVING A PERIPHERAL INWARDLY INCLINED CAMMING SURFACE, SAID EXPANSION RING HAVING A CORRESPONDING OPPOSITELY FACING INWARDLY INCLINED CAMMING SURFACE, AND BOLT MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID CONES AND INCLUDING THREADED MEANS FOR DRAWING THE CONES TOGETHER AND INTO CAMMING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EXPANSION RING. 